Building Compliance is a privately funded consulting firm that assists Investors, Engineers, Architects, General Contractors and Trade Contractors as an information hub on construction business skills and a provider of proposals needed for upcoming projects. Please check out this week's discussion on our blog. Our founder, Rick Medina served as a tenured Training Director for a multi-national corporation now known as SCI and a successful commercial / industrial General Contractor since 2000. Our association includes real estate, legal, tax and banking professionals who bring decades of successful experience with a genuine commitment to helping others. Successfully obtaining a business license does not guarantee success in business. BC's consulting service provides invaluable insight into the guidelines, requirements and business planning to better manage your clients, workers, insurers, building departments and government contracts. To schedule a no-cost consultation, please contact us by telephone or use the messaging service shown below. Building Compliance (854) 237-2096 floridabuildingcompliance.com

One of the most frustrating components of construction contracting are the agreements. Not understanding the basics, can turn a good client / contractor relationship into an ugly mess. I've been there and I want to help you avoid it. Let's get started. Its been said, "A contract is only worth the paper it's written on." In practical terms this means you can spend a fortune with an attorney and still get slaughtered in mediation court. So what makes an agreement air tight? Answer... Absolutely nothing. As I said above. You can hire a lawyer, or use an AIA agreement, or download a blank agreement off the internet or buy one at a store. And still wind up with material to fold a paper airplane. And, if there is a possibility your going to make a paper plane. Make it one that holds the weight of your safety and make it your self. Its also been said, "A person who represents themself in court has a fool for a client and an idiot for a lawyer." With all due respect to Abraham Lincoln. He was a lawyer looking to keep paying clients. You can walk into mediation with an agreement that cost you a million dollars against a client who is in breach of every part of the agreement and have the judgement go against you. So how can you minimize being on the losing end of a construction agreement? I try to live by the rule that neither your doctor, your lawyer or your accountant know more about you than you do. No one knows better than you what downside every deal holds against you. Example: How will you be paid, how much will you be paid, when will you be paid are not the downsides. The downside is what happens if you don't get paid. The keys to holding advantage in an agreement dispute are simple. 1. They must sign your agreement. 2. Even if you sign their agreement. They must sign your agreement. If not, you should walk away. Their agreement is loaded with upsides for them, not you. And in mediation court those upsides go against you. But not when you have the proper phrasing in your agreement, regardless of what theirs says. Your agreement should have off ramps that protect you when they've signed it. Over the years I've written 100s of my own agreements and many that billion dollar corporations have signed. If you have questions about what should be in your agreements. Contact me. There is no charge for answering your questions. Should you decide to have me assist or create a custom agreement or proposal for you, there is a nominal fee. Contact me. Let's make sure you have the advantage.